Wayne Hunt

Wayne Hunt

Comstock Teacher & Coach - 1959-90

When Comstock High School is mentioned, Wayne Hunt’s name comes shortly thereafter. Having coached for thirty years in baseball, football and basketball and having taught in the physical education and industrial arts departments, Wayne is synonymous with Comstock Public Schools. For his tenure at Comstock, I always considered Wayne to be “The Coach!”

Wayne’s love for the New York Yankees, University of Michigan football and Comstock was only preceded by his love for his wife Barb and their family. When Wayne talked “Family”, his chest puffed out and that twinkle came to his eyes. He was truly proud of them.

With all of his accomplishments and success, Wayne never put himself in the fore-front; it was always the players and team accolades that came first. Wayne had an uncanny ability of molding his athletes and students to succeed. He made everyone feel important, needed and appreciated.

Along with his coaching and teaching, Wayne mentored many young and new coaches for Comstock Athletics. No one knew the greater Kalamazoo area and the Wolverine Conference’s history, traditions and ways better than Wayne. Being one of those “new” coaches, I will always be grateful to my friend, “Wayne Hunt – TheCoach”.

by John Holms

I was a recipient of the Hall of Fame award in the first class of people honored by Comstock High School in 2009. It occurred to me thinking back about my acceptance speech, I didn’t have enough time to adequately address three very important people in my athletic career. The three were Mr. Larry Pickett (my baseball coach), Mr. Tom Lutz (my basketball coach) and Mr. Wayne Hunt who was my coach in football and basketball. All three of these men were excellent coaches. I was fortunate to have played on championship teams for each one of them.

Wayne Hunt stands out among the three however, because he was not only my coach but also like a father to me. This was evident as early as 1960 when I began attending Comstock Schools as a freshman. Wayne took me under his wing, made me feel comfortable and erased many of the pressures of being a new kid at a new school. He was this way with all of his athletes. No matter if you were on the first team or if you sat at the end of his bench, he cared about you. He was always positive, built you up and made you feel a part of his team.

Wayne was a coach many would call easy going. Rarely did he loose his temper and he always displayed a decorum which was professional in every way. He was not easy going in his will to win, however. It was evident he was very competitive and loved the challenge of a good opponent.

Wayne was not a strict disciplinarian but he did demand hard work, attention and team work in practice and in games. At the same time he provided an atmosphere of fun and togetherness so everyone would pull for each other the way good teams do.

I would see Wayne later in my life when I brought teams I was coaching to play against Comstock. He was the same old coach. He still loved sports, talking about his players and loved coaching at Comstock High. He would talk about his family and they obviously were his pride and joy.

I cannot begin to tell all the stories of how Wayne helped me because he did so much for me as an athlete, student and as a person. All the stories I tell about him end with how Wayne shaped my character. I will be eternally grateful he was in my life. Wayne epitomized what it means to have been a good man, a good coach and a “Comstock Colt”.

by John Messenger, CHS Class of 64

Coach Wayne Hunt, 30 year teacher, and one of the last 30 year, 3 sport coaches, demonstrated the highest ethical and moral standards, the best practices of a master coach and teacher, and the compassion, caring and concern of a friend, father and husband. He left a positive and lasting-impact on hundreds of young men and women as well as his fellow coaches. He often spoke of his pride in “bleeding Comstock blue.” Coach Hunt was, and is, one of the giants upon whose shoulders we stand.

by Rich Bailey

Coach Hunt was a role model for young men. His honesty, fairness and kind nature were examples for his players to follow. He was a leader, motivator and gentleman who encouraged his players to be their best. Coach was the reason I went on to be a teacher and coach. He was a father figure to many young men who really needed his guidance and benefited greatly from it.

by Dave Warmack

Comstock High School

Varsity, JV & Freshman Football Coach – 1959-90

1961-72 Varsity Head Coach Record – 40-46-2

1963 KVA Champions

JV, Freshman & MS Basketball Coach – 1960-89

400+ Wins

Varsity & JV Baseball Coach

1981-89 Varsity Head Coach Record – 193-120

3 Time Wolverine Conference Champion – 1981, 82 & 87

4 Time Greater Kalamazoo Champion – 1981, 82, 84 & 85

1982 MHSAA District Champions

Sutherland Paper Company Baseball Team

1951 Member of Amateur Baseball Congress Stan Musial World Championship Team

An Engraved Bat with All Team Members’ Names is at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York